Taylor Swift Selena Gomez Best Afrobeats Award MTV VMAs

Selena Gomez and Rema win Best Afrobeats Award at the 2023 MTV VMAs, with Taylor Swift showing her support.

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards was an unforgettable night filled with electrifying performances and well-deserved recognition. Held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the event drew in numerous influential figures from the music industry. Among the evening's biggest winners was the talented Selena Gomez. She took home the Best Afrobeats Award alongside Nigerian pop artist Rema for their powerful collaboration, "Calm Down." As Gomez accepted the prestigious award on stage, her best friend Taylor Swift couldn't contain her excitement and mouthed "I Love You" from the crowd.

Rema made history as the first Afrobeats artist to win a coveted MTV VMA. During his acceptance speech, he expressed his gratitude to his people and his country, stating, "Africa in the house tonight... this means so much seeing Afrobeats grow this big and being on this stage representing Afrobeats." He also made sure to acknowledge the artists who paved the way for him, giving shoutouts to Fela, 2 Baba, Don Jazzy, D Banj, De Prince, Runtown, Timaya, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido.

Before releasing the hit track "Calm Down" in 2022, Rema revealed its inspiration. He shared, "'Calm Down' is about the events that led me to find love at the time. It started at a party where I saw a girl who stood out from other girls, so I felt like shooting my shot. We spoke and danced... but her friends didn't let me get any closer, which killed the vibe. But afterward, when they weren't there, we stayed in touch and hit it off." The Afrobeat track has since shattered records, amassing over one billion streams on Spotify.

Selena Gomez made a stunning appearance at the VMAs, wearing a custom hand-beaded scarlet gown by Oscar de la Renta. The dress featured a halter neckline and a floral tendril skirt, perfectly showcasing her effortless style. Throughout the night, Gomez showed her unwavering support for her best friend Taylor Swift, rising to her feet during Swift's acceptance speech for Best Pop Video. The two were also captured sharing heartfelt conversations and warm embraces, providing a glimpse into their beautiful friendship.

Gomez and Swift's friendship dates back to 2008 when they were both dating members of the Jonas Brothers. Reflecting on their early days, Gomez shared, "We actually dated the Jonas Brothers together! It was hysterical. It was amazing because she was the girl with the big curly hair and all the bracelets and the cowboy boots. And I was definitely up-and-coming, and we just clicked. It was the best thing we got out of those relationships."

In other news, Rihanna recently sat down for an interview where she revealed ten intriguing facts about herself that many may not have known. From her favorite food to her hidden talents, Rihanna's candid revelations provided fans with a deeper understanding of the multi-talented artist.